Chapter 512: My surname is Dugu, my name is Changjing, an illegitimate son not entered into the genealogy

The cold wind in the Ghost Market seemed to be even fiercer, rolling the residual snow and slapping on the face, carrying a biting chill.

Yuwen Ang's face sank suddenly, anger surging in his eyes. He stared fixedly at Gao Changjing behind the iron mask, his teeth gritted, and he questioned word by word: "What do you mean!"

Gao Changjing's eyes were full of playfulness. The gaze behind the iron mask was like a cat catching a mouse, carrying a touch of teasing and knowing, and he asked back calmly, his tone light, but every word poked at the heart: "Your Highness's own situation, I think you have a number in your heart, right?"

These words were like the last straw, crushing Yuwen Ang's deliberately maintained composure.

He pretended to be hit hard in the pain, his chest rising and falling violently, glaring at Gao Changjing, his lips trembling, and after a long while he squeezed out one word: "You...!"

Immediately, he took a deep breath, his posture of anger in his chest gradually being suppressed by reason. After a while, a flash of coldness in his eyes, he said decisively: "Lead the way!"

"This young master wants to see how you are going to cooperate!"

Gao Changjing looked at the Yuwen royal family member who had already been grasped by himself, raised his hand and made a gesture of invitation toward a direction in the depths of the Ghost Market, his tone becoming more respectful: "Your Highness, please this way!"

A group of people passed through the bustling stalls and walked toward the quietest corner of the Ghost Market.

The vendors along the way gradually became sparse, and the light became increasingly dim, with only a few broken oil lamps swaying in the cold wind.

After walking for about a stick of incense, an inconspicuous pavilion appeared in front of them, hidden in the shadow of an old locust tree.

The doors and windows were tightly closed. If you didn't look carefully, you could hardly notice that there was a place hidden here.

Yuwen Ang followed Gao Changjing and the others into the pavilion. Just after crossing the threshold, he couldn't help but look around.

The interior of the pavilion was completely different from the simplicity outside. Although it was not luxurious, it was arranged elegantly and neatly.

Several ancient paintings were hung on the walls, a pot of evergreen bamboo was placed in the corner, and the air was filled with a faint sandalwood scent, dispelling the fireworks and chill of the Ghost Market.

The dim light spilled down from the lamps on the beams, illuminating the furnishings in the room. It was actually a quiet and elegant place.

"This place is really a cave in the sky!" Yuwen Ang sighed sincerely, his tone carrying a touch of surprise.

Gao Changjing smiled modestly, his voice coming through the iron mask, carrying a touch of politeness: "Your Highness flatters me!"

"The humble room is crude, how can it compare to your Prince's mansion!"

Everyone sat down as guests and hosts. Cui Yizong stood up, picked up the teapot from a side table, and poured tea for Yuwen Ang and Gao Changjing.

The tea soup was clear, floating with a faint tea fragrance. He handed the teacup to Yuwen Ang and said respectfully: "Your Highness, please drink tea!"

Yuwen Ang's gaze fell on the teacup, a flash of vigilance in his eyes. He didn't reach out to take it, just looked at the cup of tea quietly, unmoved.

Seeing this, Gao Changjing laughed lightly and said: "It seems Your Highness still has guard, then I will drink it first!"

Having said that, he picked up the teacup in front of him, drank a sip, and tilted the empty cup slightly, indicating that the tea was non-toxic.

Yuwen Ang's expression eased slightly. Finally, he reached out and picked up the teacup, brought it close to his lips, and took a shallow sip. The tea soup was clear and sweet, the tea fragrance lingering on the tip of his tongue, and the aftertaste was long, praising: "Good tea!"

Hearing this, Gao Changjing laughed lightly and said: "Your Highness likes it!"

"Then let's talk about..."

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Yuwen Ang raising his hand.

He pointed to the ferocious iron mask on Gao Changjing's face, arched his brows slightly, his tone carrying a touch of dissatisfaction and probing: "Before entering the main topic, you are still wearing iron masks, is it a bit too disrespectful to this young master?"

"It makes people feel that there is no sincerity!"

Hearing this, Gao Changjing pondered slightly, then nodded slowly, agreeing: "Your Highness is right!"

Immediately, he raised his hand toward the iron mask on his face, his fingertips hooked the edge of the iron mask, and lifted it lightly.

With a crisp sound of "ka-da," the ferocious iron mask was slowly removed, revealing the face underneath.

The dim light spilled on his face, outlining smooth and handsome contours.

Sword brows and star eyes, a high bridge of the nose, distinct lip lines, fair skin but not feminine, instead revealing a touch of heroism.

A pair of eyes were as deep as a pool, carrying a touch of detachment and sharpness, but because of this beautiful face, added a touch of indescribable charm.

This appearance, even in Chang'an, where beauties are like clouds, belongs to the top.

The key is, this is a man!

Yuwen Ang, who was still carrying a touch of scrutiny, shrank his pupils the moment he saw this face, his eyes stared straight, and after a long while he came back to his senses, and couldn't help but blurt out in praise: "What a handsome face!"

Immediately, he curled his lips again, his tone instantly turned into sarcastic mockery: "No wonder you have been wearing a mask, it turns out you are afraid of being targeted by those with Longyang's hobby!"

These words carried a touch of sarcasm, and if it were someone else, they would have been angry long ago.

But Gao Changjing's expression remained unchanged, his face still carrying a faint smile, not seeing half a anger, just saying calmly: "Your Highness

He paused, then continued: "It is merely to avoid some unnecessary trouble. After all, when acting outside, being too conspicuous is not necessarily a good thing."

Yuwen Ang picked up his teacup and took another sip. The mellow tea suppressed some of his restlessness, and his expression regained a measure of composure as he said indifferently: "Very well, this young master's curiosity is satisfied..."

His tone shifted, and he raised his eyes to look directly at Gao Changjing, his gaze as sharp as a knife, carrying undisguised inquiry: "Let us talk about serious matters now!"

He paused, then pressed on, word by word: "Who are you people? And why have you sought out this young master?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Changjing bowed slightly, cupped his hands together, and said with a solemn expression and a convincing tone: "My surname is Dugu, and my given name is Changjing."

"Dugu Changjing?" Yuwen Ang's brows shot up sharply, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, which quickly transformed into deep suspicion and probing as he asked: "Your surname is Dugu? What is your relationship to the Old Pillar of State Dugu?"

Gao Changjing's gaze was firm, without the slightest evasion, as he replied with resolute certainty: "Father and son!"

"Father and son?" Yuwen Ang repeated the words, as if he had heard a preposterous joke. He suddenly sneered, a mocking expression appearing on his face, his tone filled with ridicule: "Who are you trying to fool!"

"The Old Pillar of State was executed for treason, and his entire clan was wiped out to the roots!"

"The whole court knows this; where would you have come from as a son!"

However, facing Yuwen Ang's questioning and mockery, Gao Changjing remained unmoved, his expression as calm as if he were stating an established fact.

He spoke slowly, fabricating his story with a straight face: "I am an illegitimate son born when my father was serving in Jingxiang in his early years, one who was never entered into the clan genealogy!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Yuwen Ang's disbelieving face, and added: "Because I was illegitimate and not recorded in the Dugu clan genealogy, very few people knew of my existence."

"Later, when my father was convicted and the Mingjing Si purged his nine degrees of kinship, searching everywhere for his relatives, they did not know of my existence, which is why I was fortunate enough to escape being implicated and have survived until now."

"Hmph," Yuwen Ang let out a cold snort, masking the doubt in his eyes, his tone still carrying a measure of distrust: "Empty words are no proof; who knows if what you say is true or false?"

Gao Changjing had been prepared; he took a small jade pendant from his bosom and handed it over: "This was a gift my father gave me personally back then, engraved with the Dugu clan emblem. Your Highness may examine it yourself."

The pendant was dark green and warm in texture, with a complex "Dugu" clan emblem engraved on the front, crafted with such exquisite skill that no ordinary artisan could have made it.

Yuwen Ang took the pendant and examined it carefully, his fingertips tracing the patterns. His inner doubts faded a little, and he nodded lightly: "So that is how it is!"

He raised his eyes to look at Gao Changjing again, his gaze sweeping from his sword-like brows and star-like eyes to his tall, straight posture, his tone carrying genuine admiration: "You are the son of the Old Pillar of State; no wonder you are so handsome and elegant. It all makes sense now..."

Upon hearing this, the calmness on Gao Changjing's face vanished instantly, replaced by intense grief and indignation.

He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, veins throbbing on his arms. With surging hatred in his eyes and a trembling voice, he gritted his teeth and said: "My father died a miserable death!"

"As a Pillar of State of Great Zhou, he spent his life on the battlefield, exhausting himself for the country. He was a pillar of the current court, yet he was framed and persecuted to death by that treacherous villain Chen Yan!" He spoke with blood-tearing words, his tone full of unwillingness and venom: "Not only that, but that traitor also bewitched His Majesty and the Grand Preceptor into wiping out my entire Dugu clan and executing our nine degrees of kinship!"

"A family of total loyalty, yet they met such an end!"

These words were spoken with great force, his grief and indignation overflowing, as if years of accumulated resentment had erupted all at once.

Yuwen Ang's hand holding the teacup tightened slightly. He pondered for a moment, then raised his eyes to look directly at Gao Changjing, his gaze sharp and direct, asking straight to the point: "So, Young Master Dugu, you have sought me out because you intend to take revenge?"

"That is correct!"

Gao Changjing nodded heavily, hatred burning in his eyes, his tone resolute and filled with the determination of someone burning their bridges: "As a descendant of the Dugu clan, the hatred for my father's death and the destruction of my clan is irreconcilable. How could I not seek revenge?"

He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto Yuwen Ang's, and said every word with force: "And between you and me, Your Highness, there is a common enemy!"

"Chen Yan!"

Yuwen Ang seemed to have been struck by the deepest resentment in his heart. He displayed just the right amount of intense hatred and venom, suddenly slamming his teacup onto the desk. Tea splashed out, and he cursed through gritted teeth: "That son of a bitch, that bastard who deserves to be in the eighteenth level of hell!"

The curse was vulgar but cathartic, filled with accumulated resentment.

In the past, as the Prince of Qiao, he had been so noble, yet because of Chen Yan's framing, he had been demoted to a commoner, struggling to survive. This hatred had long since seeped into his bones.

Now that it had spilled out, it was sincere and heartfelt; anyone who saw it would only think they were united against a common enemy.

Seeing him like this, a flash of knowing amusement crossed Gao Changjing's eyes. He then took a deep breath, raised his hand to press against his chest to suppress his surging emotions, and his tone deepened: "I have been observing Your Highness for a long time..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Yuwen Ang's tense profile, and said slowly: "I know that Your Highness has been secretly purchasing those iron armors and weapons, not to join the army and serve the country, but to accumulate strength and wait for an opportunity to take revenge!"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Ang felt a chill in his heart, but his expression remained calm. He just stared fixedly at Gao Changjing, waiting for what he would say next.

Unexpectedly, Gao Changjing's tone shifted abruptly, becoming urgent and certain as he said decisively: "But this method is absolutely not viable!"

Yuwen Ang frowned and asked, feigning confusion: "Why is it not viable? That treacherous villain Chen Yan has overwhelming power. If I do not secretly prepare military force, am I to take revenge with my bare hands?"

A solemn look appeared on Gao Changjing's face, his brows furrowed, and his tone was as heavy as iron: "Chen Yan is surrounded by experts, and his mansion's guards are layered with defenses, all of them battle-hardened veterans."

"Even if Your Highness armed a team of a hundred men, it would be difficult to even get close to him, let alone find an opportunity to strike."

He paused, his gaze heavy, every word hitting the mark: "Even if you were lucky enough to find a gap and risk an attack, his secret guards react extremely quickly, making it very difficult to deliver a fatal blow..."

"Once you fail, Your Highness will be walking straight into a trap, with no possibility of ever making a comeback!"

Yuwen Ang's expression became increasingly grave, his brows deliberately knitted together, his fingertips tightening.

He raised his eyes to look at Gao Changjing, his tone carrying a measure of agreement and urgency: "Then what is your brilliant plan?"

He's hooked... Seeing his expression soften, a flash of imperceptible amusement crossed Gao Changjing's eyes. He muttered to himself, then his eyes gleamed, and he said with a resolute tone: "I have a much cleaner method!"

Establishing a common enemy and then aiming the spearhead at Chen Yan made it easier to deceive this young imperial clansman into trusting him.

"What method? Tell me quickly!"

Yuwen Ang pressed him impatiently, his body leaning forward involuntarily, his eyes full of anticipation.

It was as if he were already consumed by the thought of revenge and only wanted to find a viable path.

Seeing this, Gao Changjing stopped playing coy. He slowly reached into his bosom and took out an object wrapped in layers of thick cloth, about the size of a palm, which looked heavy.

"Your Highness, look at this!" He placed the object on the desk and pushed it toward Yuwen Ang.

Yuwen Ang stared at the tightly wrapped thing, his brows raised slightly, and he asked with full confusion: "What is this?"

Gao Changjing did not answer directly but reached out to untie the knot of the cloth wrapping, unfolding the thick cloth layer by layer.

As the fabric fell away, dozens of copper-colored coins were revealed. They were regular in shape, with the characters "Bu Quan" engraved on the front, almost identical to the Bu Quan coins currently in circulation.

He pushed the coins further toward Yuwen Ang and said in a low voice: "These are counterfeit Bu Quan coins I have forged."

As soon as he finished speaking, a sinister curve hooked the corner of his mouth, and a cold light of calculation flashed in his eyes: "As long as Your Highness lets these flow into the markets of Chang'an in large quantities, causing counterfeit money to run rampant, it will inevitably lead to soaring prices and social unrest."

"As the Magistrate of Chang'an, Chen Yan is in charge of the capital's security and public livelihood. With such a major incident occurring, he cannot shirk the blame!" Gao Changjing's tone became increasingly certain, his voice dropping lower: "As long as the mess is big enough and the people are full of complaints, the Grand Preceptor will surely be completely disappointed in him."

He paused, his eyes shining with the light of someone who has victory in his grasp: "Once he is demoted and sent out of Chang'an, without the protection of the capital's power and his heavy guards, wouldn't it be easy for us to deal with him?"

Yuwen Ang looked down at the counterfeit money on the desk, then raised his head to look at Gao Changjing. His eyes lit up instantly, and he slammed his hand onto the desk. His face was full of excitement and approval as he praised loudly: "A brilliant plan! Truly a brilliant plan!"